Pakistan can ensure most desirable security of Pak-Iran borders : Min

Islamabad, March 24, IRNA – Pakistan’s Minister for States & Frontier Region claims his country can ensure security of the bordering areas between Iran and Pakistan.

In an interview with IRNA, Lt. General (R) Abdul Qadir Baloch, said Pakistan can ensure most desirable security for anything which has to travel on ground between Iran and Pakistan.“In the both countries the problem is in Baloch areas but Iran is capable of taking care of problems at its end we are capable of handling the problems on our side,” he said.He went on to say that during the visit of Iranian President the economics will be the main focus in meetings which will take place between the two sides.Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, leading a high-level economic and political delegation will arrive in Islamabad on Friday on a two-day official visit.Abdul Qadir Baloch said that one problem which could be probably discussed between his ministry and Iranian side during President’s visit is Afghan refugees. “We need to have a combined strategy to handle the situation of Afghan refugees and this might get discussed between the two sides,” he said.He said that there is lot of improvement on bordering areas of Pakistan actually there is lot of cooperation going on between Pakistan and Afghanistan and between Iran and Pakistan.“I am of the firm view that if peace is to be brought back to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran both have to put their hands together and help Afghanistan to come out of this turmoil,” he said.Abdul Qadir Baloch said, 'We have no territorial disputes with Iran; we have no ideological differences between us and we are bound by cultural relationship and by historical relationship.'He added Pakistan and Iran are close neighbors and both could benefit from each other’s resources. “We have the manpower and we have very good areas where investments could take place whereas we can benefit a lot from Iran in energy sector,” he said.He said Pakistan is very good in agriculture, and can export rice and fruits like oranges to Iran. “Other than agriculture we can export livestock, so there is big scope for economic cooperation,” he said. *272*1723**1420